The York College men's lacrosse team took the first step on what it hopes will be a long NCAA journey on Wednesday afternoon.

The Spartans overcame a slow start and pulled away from Western New England University 15-7 in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at Kinsley Field.

Jake Hvazda led York with three goals and an assist. Overall, 10 Spartans scored goals.

York (18-2), ranked No. 2 in the latest NCAA D-III national poll by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, advances to take on No. 4 Amherst College in the third round.

Unranked Western New England finished 13-7.

The game was tied 3-3 after one quarter, but York controlled the action after that, outscoring the Golden Bears 12-4 over the final three quarters. York held a 50-20 edge in shots and a 31-12 edge in shots on goal.

Hunter Davis (two goals, assist) and Thomas Pfeiffer (two goals, assist) also had big games for York. Pfeiffer matched the school record for points in a season with 82, set by Brendan McGrath last year.

Landry Marshall made five saves to get the win in goal.

The Spartans are now 5-3 all-time in NCAA action. York set a new NCAA Tournament-high of 15 goals in a game.

York will travel to Amherst to take on the Mammoths (15-3) on Saturday in a third-round contest. Amherst defeated unranked Keene State 24-7 Wednesday.